Marine Patrol called to multiple crashes

LACONIA - It's been a busy holiday weekend already for New Hampshire State Police's Marine Patrol.

The division was called to two boating accidents on Saturday and received another call early Sunday about a boat at sea reported as overdue to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard alerted State Police around 4:50 a.m. about the boat believed to be offshore in the area of Seabrook and Hampton. The Marine Patrol says search efforts were beginning when the boat drifted ashore on Hampton Beach after experiencing mechanical difficulties. Both occupants were not injured.

The Marine Patrol responded to an earlier call for a crash in Laconia on Lake Winnisquam around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Laconia firefighters and police were also on the scene where investigators say a pontoon boat traveling about 20 mph hit a tree on shore. The boat sustained heavy damage and two adults on board had minor injuries. State police say a Massachusetts man driving the boat was arrested and charged with boating while intoxicated.

Two boats collided earlier Saturday on Lake Winnipesaukee. The Marine Patrol said it happened around 9:20 in the town of Alton, where a 24-foot powerboat struck a 26-foot powerboat. A passenger was taken to a local hospital for possible lower body injuries. Both boats were still operational under their own power after the collision.

The Marine Patrol says the crashes remained under investigation Sunday.